Dear Friends:
With sadness and grief I write this note to provide relatives
and friends with an update on the status of my husband,
Ramsey Muñiz. He has been gravely ill since undergoing
gallbladder surgery. (Previously we thought that food poisoning
was the cause of his condition).
In spite of his grave status, he is improving (though slowly),
and I now feel that he will live. I have been beside Ramsey
since Thursday, August 25, and yesterday (Wednesday, August 31)
was the first time that he was able to speak and hold very brief
conversations. He is still very ill.
Below is a synopsis of his progress: Wednesday, August 24
Ramsey has his gallbladder removed because of stones. This happens
quickly as a result of extreme illness that he endured several days
prior.
Thursday, August 25
I arrive in the late afternoon. They attempt to do an ERCP
(Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) to insert a stent
and get bile to flow through it, and not elsewhere. It is an
unsuccessful attempt, as the extent of his infection and swelling
is vast. He is returned to the hospital where I am able to see him.
I learn that Ramsey has only asked for pain medication once. His
appearance and inability to speak tells me that his condition is
severe and intensely painful (close to the point of shock). I ask
that he be given pain medicine and educate him about the need to
ask for it when needed. (He rarely takes medicine and has never
been hospitalized).
Friday, August 26
Ramsey receives medication as needed, but his condition remains
very grave. He is unable to speak, loses his breath often, and
struggles to live. He is cared for by compassionate and professional
personnel.
Saturday, August 27
Ramsey receives medication as needed, but his condition remains
very grave. He is unable to speak, loses his breath often, and
struggles to live. He is cared for by compassionate and professional
personnel.
Sunday, August 28
Ramsey receives medication as needed, but his condition remains
very grave. He is unable to speak, loses his breath often, and
struggles to live. He is cared for by compassionate and professional
personnel. Others perform extensive exams to study and analyze
his condition and determine a means of improving it.
Monday, August 29
In the morning they make a tiny incision (I believe), and insert a
tube to drain infectious fluids around the stomach area. The amount
drained is about 4 liters. He feels much better, as the extreme
pain is greatly lessened. He remains extremely ill and hardly speaks.
Tuesday, August 30
Ramsey receives dialysis, to help his kidneys, as they have not
been functioning correctly. He feels better and for the first
time he is able to speak, though very limited for his condition
and lack of strength.
Wednesday, August 31
Ramsey’s body remains extremely swollen in several areas. The doctor
orders a tube to be inserted through his nose into the stomach.
(Recall that earlier they have drained 4 liters of infectious fluids
outside the stomach area). The tube begins to suction out additional
liters of infectious fluids, and this continues throughout the night.
For the first time, Ramsey converses.
Thursday, September 1
They will remove the tube for 2 hours only to determine how much
fluids build without it. If it is a great amount, they will remove
the tube. If the amount is not significant, they will remove the tube
and allow bodily functions to help in the healing process. Though he
is still not out of the woods, he is making slow improvement.
Notes:
As stated earlier, Ramey has been cared for by compassionate and
professional personnel. I believe that he will get well, and Ramsey
has told me that he knows he will live, as God (Mexi) told him so
several days ago. We do not maintain ANY thoughts or energies on
the cause of Ramsey’s current condition, but rather on prayer and
spiritual communication with God — the Higher Power through whom
healing can be received. We seek assistance in this fashion. We ask
that people provide loving thoughts and prayers, and ask others to
do the same.
If you send email, chances are that you will not receive a response.
Please understand that many people who wish Ramsey well are
communicating with me.
Our love and gratitude go to all who express compassion, love, and
concern, and more importantly to those who pray on behalf of my
husband.
Irma Muñiz
email received from Irma Sept. 2, 2005
freeramsey.com
Texas Civil Rights Review 